Soul of the Knife

My friend Coke and I, who are both admirers of well made knives, recently made a trip to see Tom Adkins, famed knife maker, in Delmar, MD. Tom is one of the few craftsmen who actually forges his own steel. All of his knives are handmade and can take 80+ hours to complete. This skinning knife is made from carbon steel. The handle is rare desert ironwood and MD whitetail antler, with a brass separation ring and guard. Tom is a great guy and is an active member in the Furnacetown Blacksmith Guild. His prices are super reasonable and with any purchase, you receive a certificate of authenticity, detailed care instructions, and free sharpening for life. Sheaths are crafted by him as well, each with a date and number. If you have something specific in mind, he can create just about anything for you. These knives are top-notch.

All Tied Up

In my fly tying nook at home in the basement. Fresh and saltwater patterns abound - replete with fur, feathers, chenille, Dacron, cement, and a sundry of other goodies (including good scotch!). This has quickly become my off-season hobby. I've even caught a few nice trout on my own flies - the true testament to success!

Get High on The Hog

Last May, Coke, Greg and I ventured down to the Buck & Boar (http://www.buckandboarofsc.com/), in beautiful central, SC, to get on the Pork Chop Express.

The property that makes up the Buck & Boar has been managed exclusively for wildlife over the past 20 years. Over 30 food plots and year-round supplemental feeds ensure their herds grow to reach their full potential. You see plenty of game because they do not over hunt their herd. You are hunting a wild herd of animals. Do not confuse the Buck & Boar with a canned hunting operation. The animals are wild and elusive, not stocked farm animals. The hunting is fair chase so be prepared to hunt hard and shoot straight.

Everyone at the Buck & Boar was was extremely gracious - they worked hard to put us on hogs - stalking, stands, etc. If you call, ask for Troy or Dwayne. The accommodations were nice and homemade meals even nicer. I love that Southern sweet tea! We spent the nights sitting around a fire butchering our meat (as all men should do), and recounting the excitement from that day's hunt. These are true Russian-bloodline boars and are BIG and MEAN.

We were on the tail end of a hunt with another group, who used hound and catch/bay dogs and a 7" or 9" K-Bar, and that's it. The dogs flushed out a boar out and chased him into a pond. The dogs swam after him, goin' at it, and when they finally chased him close to shore, this guy (standing in 4' of water) shoved that K-Bar right into the old pump station. Just seconds before, that monster boar sliced at him like a croc on crack, almost disemboweling him. Talk about exciting hunt. Phew! One thing I learned real quick that day - boars can swim, and swim well.

The Vulch Strikes Again

My friend, Dave, gettin' down with the back-strap boogie. Nice over-the-shoulder shot from 60 yds. - double lung. She ran another 120 yds. through thick, thick stuff, with only a little blood trail. We were only equipped with one of those million candle-powered lights (that run out after 10 minutes) and a lantern from camp. We found her and got her out, but Dave left his light at the scene, which was now dead. Somehow he found his way back in total darkness and recovered the light. Amazing. PA deer hunters always know what they're doing.

Dog Trainer Extraordinaire

Tim Carrion and his Chessie, Tucker, competing at the American Chesapeake Club's (ACC) Field Trial Specialty in Winslow, New Jersey. Tim is a good friend and a great trainer/handler. If you're ever in Maryland and want to run your dog with folks that know what they're doing, light me up.

Wood Duck Craze

Me, Greg and Teddy (and trusty Cabella) hunted a small rain-filled pond at our Queen Anne's deer camp one night at dusk. The Woodies came out from the woods after engorging themselves on acorns, and stopped by to get a drink. It was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. Needless to say, we crushed 'em within 2 minutes. Three hens and three drakes. What a fun shoot. We went back to camp and cooked up the hens for dinner and kept the drakes for mounting. Beautiful birds.

Deal Island Take II

We were fortunate enough again to draw a permit to hunt Deal Island. Limited out with my Boys, Butler and Voelker. What more can I say?

Islamorada Snook

Another successful trip to Islamorada - The Sport Fishing Capital of the World, with my friend and guide extraordinaire, Capt. Greg Poland. If you're in Islamorada, you must look him up: http://www.gregpoland.com/. Absolutely great guy who really knows his stuff. Has a flats boat and an offshore boat to catch whatever you desire. I got to handle the flats boat - really nice boat custom made by Hells Bay Boatworks. Afterwards, you can enjoy libations and other fish stories back at the Lorelei. This morning, we were attempting to catch Redfish, Tarpon and/or Snook (pictured here) on light spin tackle. Islamorada is one of my favorite quick trips during Maryland's cold weather season.

The Men From The Boys

Sometimes we must go it alone. It is in your blood or it is not. My friend's bailed on this early, cold and rainy morning, but I ventured on. I was about halfway through a mile and a half woodland trek in search of one of my secret spots - busting with Rainbow, Brown and the occasional Brook. This photo was taken roughly from my phone and texted to those couch bums. I hope they were all nice and snugly, spooning each other, while I was having a great day. Caught a nice Rainbow and two decent Browns on a fly that I tied.

Sea Duck Hunt

Me, Curtis, Greg and Teddy after a wildy successful sea duck hunt aboard Ted's "Swindler". This was actually the kickoff to my full-day bachelor party, starting with this trip before sunrise and ending around 8:00 p.m. (for me) - vomiting on all fours in my buddy's (very public) backyard. My brother-in-law, Johnny, helped me home and got me into bed. He is a saint.

Trout Bums

Guide extraordinaire, Jason, from Backwater Angler (http://www.backwaterangler.com/), Greg and myself on a fly fishing mission on the Gunpowder River. It was early and pouring. I got on about three nice trout with a tandem midge rig before having to bail due to serious thunder and lightening. Since that trip, I have forgone using split shot - upgrading to that tungsten putty stuff. You can customize the size, placement and it won't tangle on back casts - plus it holds where you put it (especially on a knot).

Giggin'

Me and Coke after another successful night of giggin', although, this represents only one pass or so of the pond. Usually, we start out when it gets dark and do three passes, while enjoying libations back at camp between rounds. I broke all records (for the camp) and gigged about 17 huge Bullfrogs, thus the knickname "Gig". I am still unchallenged to this day. Some of my greatest memories afield are from camping and giggin' with my buddy Coke.

That's My Boy

One-year plus and Owen has already been fishing twice. Once on a boat in Lake Placid with his Uncle Johnny and once at my friend's Harford County pond. This day we were with Papa Coke, Cort and Caroline. We caught 20+ fish - Croaker, Pan, Blue, Sun, etc. Great spot for kids, as the fish seem to throw themselves on your hook. No patience needed...yet.

What a Woman

In retrospect, it was probably foolish for me to teach my (Irish) wife how to handle a gun, but nonetheless...she is a great shot and enjoys the range. If you own a gun - any gun - make sure you're a member of the NRA.

Good Deal

Ahhh, Deal Island hunts - stuff dreams are made of. Limited access and always lots of ducks - and lots of species. Me, Jack and Mike (and Cooper, the relentless retriever) limited out quickly this opening day of the 3rd split. Gadwall, Black, Widgeon, Pintail, et al.

Spring Bow Season

Opening day of Spring bow is so rewarding - enjoyable weather and lots of deer activity. This nice doe (dressed) came in at 110lbs. Meat in the freezer and just before dark! First time using the Hoyt V-Tec. with a Muzzy Zero Effect Rest, Gold Tip arrows and Magnus Stinger 2-blade broadheads. Very pleased.

Now THAT'S a Fish!

No PhotoShop here. My friend Curtis and I with our catch for that day on the Chesapeake Bay. He always puts us on the fish and if not, someone must have brought a banana on the boat. The monster was 45.5" - makes my Rock look pretty small.

Bass Time Baby!

Not to toot my own horn...but this Largemouth Bass would have won me some serious dough in a competition. What a fish! Was having a lot of success throwing pearl Bass Assassins with chartreuse jig heads and deep-diving crank bait (somewhere in Pasadena, MD).

My Huntin' Buddy

Great shot of Gunner from my boat on the Patapsco River - locked on to a flight of divers before we could even see them. It's tough watching him get older. He's about 12 now and has slowed down substantially. I still try to take him with me from time-to-time - he'll hunt with me until the end.

Goose Season

Last year's goose season was good - as it always seems to be. Our goose pit in Harford County has become like a second home to me. Great memories. Hopefully with the way the economy has been going, suburban sprawl will slow or stop, allowing us many more seasons before the pavement finds its way in.